Systems and methods for dynamically tuning reactive power in an inductive power transfer system are disclosed. The system comprises a first plurality of coils operably coupled to a respective ferromagnetic material, configured to receive wireless power via the ferromagnetic material from a power source. The system further comprises a plurality of switches configured to selectively control power received by certain of the first plurality of coils. The system further comprises a second plurality of coils configured to receive current from respective ones of the first plurality of coils and deliver wireless power to a wireless power receiver. The system further comprises at least one control unit configured to selectively activate the switches. The switches may be set to provide power from the power source to a portion of the plurality of the second coils or selectively increase or decrease the reactive power load of the power source.
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1. A device for dynamically tuning reactive power in an inductive power transfer system comprising: a first plurality of coils, each coil operably coupled to a respective ferromagnetic material and configured to receive wireless power via the ferromagnetic material from a power source; a plurality of switches associated with each of the first plurality of coils, the switches configured to selectively control power received by certain of the first plurality of coils; a second plurality of coils configured to receive current from respective ones of the first plurality of coils, the second plurality of coils further configured to deliver wireless power to a wireless power receiver; and at least one control unit configured selectively activate the switches, the switches being configurably set to at least one of: convey power from the power source to at least one of the plurality of the second coils via at least one of the plurality of first coils; or selectively increase or decrease the reactive power load of the power source.
A system dynamically tunes reactive power in a wireless power transfer setup. It uses a set of primary coils, each with a ferromagnetic core, to receive wireless power from a source. Switches control the power flow to these coils. A second set of coils receives current from the primary coils and wirelessly transmits power to a receiver. A controller activates the switches to either send power from the source to the second set of coils via the first set, or to change the reactive power load on the source.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the control unit may selectively increase or decrease the reactive power load by setting the switches to one of a short circuit state or an open circuit state.
The reactive power tuning system described previously allows the controller to adjust the reactive power load on the source by setting the switches associated with the primary coils to either a short circuit (closed) or an open circuit (disconnected) state. This switching action effectively changes the impedance seen by the power source, thereby controlling reactive power.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the control unit further receives an input including a message from a distribution controller, the message indicative of a reactive power load of the power source.
The reactive power tuning system receives input from a distribution controller. This input is a message indicating the current reactive power load of the power source. The controller uses this information to make decisions on how to adjust the switches to optimize the reactive power.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the control unit further receives an input including a message from a distribution controller, the message configured to contain instructions to activate the switches to achieve a designated reactive power load.
The reactive power tuning system receives instructions from a distribution controller that specify how to set the switches to achieve a target reactive power load on the power source. The controller then configures the switches according to these instructions.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the control unit further receives an input including a message from a local controller, the message indicative of a switch position of an adjacent plurality of switches.
The reactive power tuning system receives a message from a local controller. This message indicates the switch positions of nearby switches in a network of similar reactive power tuning devices, allowing for coordinated reactive power control across a larger area.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one control unit is further configured to send a message, the message indicative of the position of the plurality of switches.
The reactive power tuning system is capable of sending messages indicating the current position (open or closed) of its switches. This enables other devices or controllers to monitor and coordinate reactive power adjustments across a wider network.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to determine a reactive power load of the power source and command switch activation or receive switch activation instructions from higher order controller.
The reactive power tuning system determines the reactive power load on the power source. Based on this determination, it either directly commands the switches to activate to adjust the reactive power, or it receives switch activation instructions from a higher-level controller within the system.
8. A method for dynamically tuning reactive power in an inductive power transfer system comprising: receiving at a first plurality of coils, wireless power via a ferromagnetic material from a power source, wherein each coil of the first plurality of coils is operably coupled to the respective ferromagnetic material; selectively controlling, at a plurality of switches, power received by certain of the first plurality of coils, wherein each switch of the plurality of switches is associated with each coil of the first plurality of coils; receiving, at a second plurality of coils, current from respective ones of the first plurality of coils; delivering, by the second plurality of coils, wireless power to a wireless power receiver; and selectively activating the switches by at least one control unit, wherein the switches are configurably set to at least one of: convey power from the power source to at least one of the plurality of the second coils via at least one of the plurality of first coils; or selectively increase or decrease the reactive power load of the power source.
A method dynamically tunes reactive power in wireless power transfer. Primary coils, each with a ferromagnetic core, receive power wirelessly. Switches control the power received by the primary coils. Secondary coils receive current from the primary coils and transmit power wirelessly to a receiver. A controller activates switches to either send power from the source to the secondary coils via the primary coils, or to adjust the reactive power load on the source.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the selectively activating comprises setting the switches to one of a short circuit state or an open circuit state.
The reactive power tuning method from the previous description involves setting the switches to either a short circuit (closed) state or an open circuit (disconnected) state to adjust the reactive power load on the power source. This switching changes the impedance and hence the reactive power.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the control unit further receives an input including a message from a distribution controller, the message indicating a reactive power load of the power source.
The reactive power tuning method from the previous description includes receiving a message from a distribution controller. This message indicates the reactive power load of the power source. This information is then used by the control unit to adjust the switch configuration.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the control unit further receives an input including a message from a distribution controller, the message containing instructions to activate the switches to achieve a designated reactive power load.
The reactive power tuning method from the previous description includes receiving a message from a distribution controller containing specific instructions for activating the switches to achieve a designated reactive power load. The controller uses these instructions to set the switch configuration.
12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the control unit further receives an input including a message from a local controller, the message indicating a switch position of an adjacent plurality of switches.
The reactive power tuning method from the previous description includes receiving a message from a local controller, the message indicating a switch position of an adjacent plurality of switches. The control unit uses this information for coordinated control with nearby units.
13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one control unit is further configured to send a message, the message indicating the position of the plurality of switches.
The reactive power tuning method described previously involves the controller sending a message that indicates the current position of the switches. This allows other controllers or systems to monitor the status and coordinate actions.
14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the control unit is further configured to determine a reactive power load of the power source and command switch activation or receive switch activation instructions from higher order controller.
The reactive power tuning method from the previous description includes the controller determining the reactive power load on the power source. It then either activates the switches itself or receives switch activation instructions from a higher-level controller.
15. An apparatus for dynamically tuning reactive power in an inductive power transfer system comprising: first means for receiving wireless power via a ferromagnetic material from a power source, wherein each first receiving means is operably coupled to the respective ferromagnetic material; means for selectively controlling power received by certain of the first receiving means, wherein controlling means is associated with each of the first receiving means; second means for receiving current from respective ones of the first receiving means; means for delivering wireless power to a wireless power receiver; and means for selectively activating the controlling means, wherein the each controlling means is configurably set to at least one of: convey power from the power source to at least one of the plurality of the second receiving means via at least one of the first receiving means; and selectively increase or decrease the reactive power load of the power source.
An apparatus dynamically tunes reactive power in wireless power transfer. It includes a "first means" for receiving wireless power with ferromagnetic cores, a "controlling means" (switches) to regulate power to the "first means," a "second means" to receive current from the "first means," and a "means for delivering" wireless power to a receiver. A "means for selectively activating" the "controlling means" to either send power from the source to the "second means" via the "first means," or to change the reactive power load on the source.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the first receiving means comprises a first plurality of coils, and wherein the controlling means comprises a plurality of switches, and wherein the second receiving means comprises a second plurality of coils, and wherein the deliver means comprises the second plurality of coils, and wherein the activating means comprises at least one controller.
In the reactive power tuning apparatus, the "first means for receiving wireless power" is implemented as a set of primary coils. The "controlling means" is implemented as a set of switches. The "second means for receiving current" and the "means for delivering wireless power" both comprise a second set of coils. The "activating means" is implemented as a controller. This specifies concrete hardware components for the abstract "means" previously described.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the activating means may set the controlling means to one of a short circuit state or an open circuit state.
In the reactive power tuning apparatus, the "activating means" (controller) can adjust the "controlling means" (switches) to either a short circuit (closed) or an open circuit (disconnected) state. This allows for controlling the reactive power load on the source.
18. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the control unit further receives an input including a message from a distribution controller, the message indicating a reactive power load of the power source.
The reactive power tuning apparatus receives input from a distribution controller indicating the current reactive power load on the power source. This information is used by the control unit to make decisions on how to adjust the switches.
19. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the control unit further receives an input including a message from a distribution controller, the message containing instructions to activate the controlling means to achieve a designated reactive power load.
The reactive power tuning apparatus receives a message from a distribution controller containing specific instructions for activating the "controlling means" (switches) to achieve a designated reactive power load. The controller then sets the switches according to these instructions.
20. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the control unit further receives an input including a message from a local controller, the message indicating a position of an adjacent controlling means.
The reactive power tuning apparatus receives a message from a local controller indicating the position of nearby "controlling means" (switches) in adjacent devices, enabling coordinated reactive power control across a wider network.
21. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the at least one activating means is further configured to send a message, the message indicating the position of the controlling means.
The reactive power tuning apparatus sends a message indicating the current position of the "controlling means" (switches), allowing other controllers or systems to monitor and coordinate reactive power adjustments.
22. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the activating means is further configured to determine a reactive power load of the power source and command controlling means activation or receive controlling means activation instructions from higher order activating means.
In the reactive power tuning apparatus, the "activating means" (controller) determines the reactive power load of the power source. It either commands the "controlling means" (switches) to activate, or receives instructions from a higher-order "activating means."
23. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions, that when executed, cause a inductive power transfer system to: receive at a first plurality of coils, wireless power via a ferromagnetic material from a power source, wherein each coil of the first plurality of coils is operably coupled to the respective ferromagnetic material; selectively control, at a plurality of switches, power received by certain of the first plurality of coils, wherein each switch of the plurality of switches is associated with each coil of the first plurality of coils; receive, at a second plurality of coils, current from respective ones of the first plurality of coils; deliver, by the second plurality of coils, wireless power to a wireless power receiver; and selectively activate, by at least one control unit, the switches, wherein the switches are configurably set to at least one of: convey power from the power source to at least one of the plurality of the second coils via at least one of the plurality of first coils; or selectively increase or decrease the reactive power load of the power source.
A computer-readable medium holds instructions that, when executed, cause a wireless power transfer system to perform reactive power tuning. The system receives wireless power at primary coils with ferromagnetic cores, controls power with switches, receives current at secondary coils, and transmits wireless power. The controller activates the switches to either send power to the secondary coils via the primary coils, or adjust the reactive power load on the power source.
24. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 , wherein the control unit may selectively increase or decrease the reactive power load by setting the switches to one of a short circuit state or an open circuit state.
The computer-readable medium from the previous description includes instructions that allow the control unit to selectively increase or decrease the reactive power load by setting the switches to either a short circuit (closed) or an open circuit (disconnected) state.
25. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 , wherein the control unit further receives an input including a message from a distribution controller, the message indicating a reactive power load of the power source.
The computer-readable medium from the previous description includes instructions for the control unit to receive a message from a distribution controller, where the message indicates the current reactive power load of the power source.
26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 , wherein the control unit further receives an input including a message from a distribution controller, the message containing instructions to activate the switches to achieve a designated reactive power load.
The computer-readable medium from the previous description includes instructions for the control unit to receive a message from a distribution controller. This message contains specific instructions to activate the switches to achieve a designated reactive power load on the power source.
27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 , wherein the control unit further receives an input including a message from a local controller, the message indicating a switch position of an adjacent plurality of switches.
The computer-readable medium from the previous description includes instructions for the control unit to receive a message from a local controller, where the message indicates the switch position of an adjacent set of switches.
28. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 , wherein the at least one control unit is further configured to send a message, the message indicating the position of the plurality of switches.
The computer-readable medium from the previous description includes instructions for the control unit to send a message. This message indicates the current position of the switches, enabling monitoring and coordination.
29. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 , wherein the control unit is further configured to determine a reactive power load of the power source and command switch activation or receive switch activation instructions from higher order controller.
The computer-readable medium from the previous description includes instructions for the control unit to determine the reactive power load on the power source. The controller then commands switch activation or receives switch activation instructions from a higher-level controller.
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September 10, 2014
June 13, 2017
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